Ethereum's price is down 35% from its peak, but 3 big things might make it rise in 2026: a major network upgrade in December, clearer rules, and more investors wanting Ethereum products. This could be a good time to think about Ethereum
Catalyst 1: Fusaka Upgrade
The Ethereum/Fusaka Upgrade (coming late 2026) will make Ethereum faster and more efficient. It'll help ETH holders by making the network better at handling data and transactions, without needing extra help from other solutions. This upgrade builds on a previous one (Pectra) that improved staking rewards and made the network work better. Fusaka will make Ethereum more competitive compared to other blockchains.
Catalyst 2: Favorable Regulatory Shifts
Rules around cryptocurrencies are getting clearer in the US, which is good news for Ethereum. New laws might let blockchains work more easily with traditional finance. The US SEC is making it easier for Ethereum ETFs (investment products) to be traded, which should make more people want to buy and sell Ethereum, potentially pushing its price up.
Catalyst 3: Growing Interest in ETH-Based Investment Products
Institutional investment in Ethereum has moved fast because Ethereum ETFs (a way to invest in Ethereum) are now more established, and Ethereum's system for earning rewards (staking) is solid. Ethereum ETFs have had money flowing in for 18 days straight, growing to $28.6 billion - a 177% jump! This is part of a bigger trend: 85% of big investors are using more crypto, with 59% planning to put even more money into it.
Why Now Might Be the Best Time to Accumulate Ethereum
With these catalysts in play, now might be an excellent time to accumulate Ethereum. The current price of Ethereum is around $ETH , and analysts predict a potential price range of $3,000 to $10,000 by 2026. The Fusaka Upgrade, favorable regulatory shifts, and growing institutional interest could drive Ethereum's price upward.
Some notable predictions include:
$7,583 by 2026, with a 93% ROI potential, driven by institutional adoption and network upgrades.
$16,700 by 2025-2026, representing a 350% increase from current levels, fueled by institutional buying pressure and supply constraints.
$10,000-$12,000 in the long term, driven by growing institutional interest, DeFi expansion, and Layer-2 scaling
